Breakthrough for vocational qualifications as universities admissions body awards points to NVQ course for first time

The growing acceptance that National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) can be as important as BTEC diplomas or A-levels has been confirmed after Ucas – the organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges – decided to award 160 points to the NVQ Level 3 in Accounting offered by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

The qualification was benchmarked against the accountancy A-level and was awarded additional points for its practical work-related skills content that allows students to apply what they have learned. An A-level is worth 120 points on the Ucas scale.

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The qualification will officially be accepted for entry into higher education from 2009.

Jane Scott Paul, chief executive of the AAT, said: “We are delighted with this decision by Ucas and believe it will go a long way towards dispelling some of the inherent snobbery that exists in the UK towards vocational learning. For too long vocational training has been considered the poor relation to academic studies.”